The Rundown | July 31, 2025 - Now Playing!
- John Sloan III
- Jul 31
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Welcome to THE RUNDOWN, a quick hit highlight of the shows now playing on stage in Michigan. There's no shortage of creativity here in The Mitten. From interactive theatrical events to streaming performances and everything in between. There's something for everyone this summer! You know what I'm gonna say, Get On Up And See A Show!
Give 'Em the Old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'Em
Give 'Em an Act With Lots of Flash In It
And the Reaction Will Be Passionate
PLACES PLEASE, THIS IS YOUR PLACES CALL!
Here's THE RUNDOWN for Thursday, July 31, 2025.
CLOSING THIS WEEKEND
INCIDENT OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP | Williamston Theatre |
Runs June 26-Aug 3 | www.williamstontheatre.org
Mid-Michigan’s award-winning professional theatre company, finishes off Season 18 with the Michigan Premiere of Incident
at Our Lady of Perpetual Help by Katie Forgette. Performances for this production begin Thursday, June 26 and run through Sunday, August 3. Tickets are now on sale.
It’s 1973: Nixon is president, bell bottoms are in, and Aerosmith is releasing their first album. Nineteen-year-old Linda O’Shea has been tasked by her mother with explaining the birds and the bees to her little sister. Things quickly snowball into a hilarious crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest.
This wild and tender comedy explores the foolishness of first love, the pains of Catholic
guilt, and ultimately, the power of family.
Written by: Katie Forgette.
Directed by: Karen Sheridan
*Sponsored Content
STRATFORD in July! July is JAM-PACKED at The Stratford Festival!
Eight Exciting Productions Headline a Summer Full of Conversations, Special Events, & More!
OPENING THIS WEEKEND
DRONE | The Arab America Museum | Runs July 31 - August 3 (at Detroit Public Theatre)
This summer, the Arab American National Museum (AANM) proudly presents the first fully-staged production of DRONE, a new play by Joyce Award-winning playwright Andrea Assaf, with performances at Detroit Public Theatre.
This transdisciplinary performance explores the drone as a metaphor for how we become desensitized to daily violence (domestic and global), the question of Moral Injury, and the effects of remote-control warfare on the human soul. The play is performed with an interactive media design and live music, intertwining songs from the U.S. South to the Middle East, featuring internationally acclaimed vocalist Lubana Al Quntar.
Written & Directed by: Andrea Assaf
STREAMING
TI'MON | The Obsidian Theatre Festival
The Obsidian Theatre Festival, the flagship program of the GhostLight Arts Initiative (GLAI), is proud to announce the streaming release of Season 4 Feature content. Having gained national recognition as a platform for emerging Black voices, OTF continues to break new ground through the streaming of original plays, musicals, music, and conversation.
This year's streaming schedule kicked off with the debut of TI’MON, a bold new musical by Ashlee and Ziyan, centered on the immigrant experience, family, and imagination. What makes this piece truly unique is the accompanying behind-the-scenes documentary following the development process with dramaturg Kanoa Sims. TI’MON premiered on Tuesday, July 22nd on the GhostLight YouTube channel . The full feature piece which is now available to stream on obsidianfest.org.
THE GOLDEN LOC | The Obsidian Theatre Festival | Premiering August 19
Prentiss Matthew III's award-winning play for young audiences, The Golden Loc, is set to premiere on August 19th. The piece, which was presented as part of The Obsidian Theatre Festival's 4th Season, was directed by Asia Mark and starred local actors Khalia Damali, Jarquita Evans, DeNitria Gibson, Tayler Jones, Princess Beyonce Jones, Chelsea King, and QueenMakeeda Taylor as "Zia".
The show received the "Best Play" award in 2024 from BroadwayWorld Michigan and recently became available for production through Plays For New Audiences.
Written by: Prentiss Matthews III
Directed by: Asia Mark
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NOW PLAYING
BERT & TRIXIE VISIT THE VET | The Purple Rose Theatre | Runs June 20 - Aug. 31
The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) announces the final production of their 34th season, Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet a World Premiere comedy written by Matt Letscher.
Four pets in a veterinarian’s waiting room plan an escape when they suspect one of them is in danger. A comedy about what it means to truly be free. This production of “Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet” contains adult content and may not be suitable for children under the age of 13.
Written by: Matt Letscher
Directed by: Rhiannon Ragland
NEW SUMMER LINEUP | Tipping Point Theatre | Beginning July 17
Tipping Point Theatre (TPT) announces a brand-new collection of summer performances beginning on July 17, 2025. “You can count on Detroit talent to bring the fun” states TPT Artistic Director Julia Glander. “We are excited to kick back with the Planet Ant Home Team led by Tipping Point Theatre favorite, Dave Davies, for three nights of improv comedy to lead off our Summer Sessions. Then, returning Detroiter Michelle Murphy transports audiences back to her 13-year-old self at summer camp in her critically-acclaimed one person show, Keeper. Plus, audiences can enjoy our outdoor patio and courtyard with a beer or a glass of wine before each show—a true Michigan summer treat!”
THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL | www.stratfordfestival.ca
MACBETH | Runs through Nov 22
Robert Lepage returns to the Stratford Festival with a bold new production of Macbeth, Shakespeare’s compelling tale of unchecked ambition. Created in collaboration with Lepage’s company Ex Machina, the show features Tom McCamus in the title role and Lucy Peacock as Lady Macbeth.
Six years in the making, this fast-paced production will grab you with its startling opening scene and keep you in its grip through the thrilling final moments. It sees the clan loyalties and blood feuds of medieval Scotland come to vivid life in a biker gang war setting. In this story of a ruthless warrior empowered by prophecy, Shakespeare dramatizes the consequences of psychopathic ambition with a stark clarity that continues to shock audiences centuries later.
“Macbeth is always timely,” says Lepage, “because whatever the political system or the moment in history, there is always a Macbeth somewhere – an ambitious person who transforms a society into a dictatorship.”
Directed by: Robert Lepage
ANNIE | Runs May 27 - Dec. 14
The sun will come out tomorrow when the Stratford Festival begins its 2025 season with the fabulous musical Annie.
Ever-optimistic Annie makes it her job to improve the lives of everyone around her – except maybe Miss Hannigan, who has made life a misery for all the little girls in her care at the New York Municipal Orphanage.
Annieofficially opens on May 27 and runs until November 2 at the Festival Theatre.
“Where we came from and where we want to go define who and what we aspire to be – our vision shapes us,” says director Donna Feore.
“Annie... embodies the best of every human reaction to adversity and she speaks to us in a language so simple and clear that it’s hard to deny her power.”
Directed & Choreographed by: Donna Feore
Musical Direction by: Laura Burton
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS | Runs May 29 - Nov 23
Prepare for the Avon Theatre to be transformed into the glamorous French Riviera as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels hits the stage tomorrow, offering huge laughs and high energy. It showcases exhilarating performances by Shakura Dickson as Christine Colgate, Jonathan Goad as Lawrence Jameson, Liam Tobin as Freddy Benson, Sara-Jeanne Hosie as Muriel Eubanks, Derek Kwan as Andre Thibault, and Michele Shuster as Jolene Oakes.
Shakura Dickson ("Christine") sat down recently for an interview with Encore's John Sloan III. Stay tuned for the piece dropping soon!
THE WINTER'S TALE | Runs May 30 - September 27
Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino’s production of The Winter’s Tale starts performances today, opening the Tom Patterson Theatre for the 2025 season. Filled with sprightly comedy, heartwarming serendipity and fantastical surprises, this beautiful play features a stellar cast led by Graham Abbey as Leontes, Yanna McIntosh as Paulina and Sara Topham as Paulina.
Blinded by jealousy, King Leontes falsely accuses his pregnant wife of infidelity, setting into motion a series of catastrophes that will destroy his wife and son and leave his infant daughter abandoned to the elements on a distant island. Seeing the folly of his ways, Leontes vows to live out his days atoning for his actions. Sixteen years later, the king is offered an unlikely chance at redemption.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES | Runs through Nov 16
Grab a glass of raspberry cordial and join us for a story of love, family and friendship as Kat Sandler’s adaptation of Anne of Green Gables makes its world première at the Stratford Festival. Directed by Sandler and led by Caroline Toal, Tim Campbell and Sarah Dodd, the east-coast charmer plays at the Avon Theatre.
Generations of readers have fallen in love with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s timeless tale about the red-headed orphan longing for a forever home.
Written & Directed by: Kat Sandler
FORGIVENESS | June 18 - Sept 27
Forgiveness, the story of two families profoundly affected by the events of the Second World War, starts performances at the Stratford Festival today. This deeply moving stage adaptation, written by Hiro Kanagawa and directed by Stafford Arima, is based on the Canada Reads-winning memoir Forgiveness: A Gift From My Grandparents by Mark Sakamoto.
Led by Yoshie Bancroft and Jeff Lillico, the play spans two generations and two families who in their union live as a testament to the power of choosing forgiveness over hatred.
Written by: Hiro Kanagawa
Directed by: Stafford Arima
SENSE & SENSIBILITY | June 19 - Oct 20
Mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen with a trip to the Stratford Festival for a beautiful and captivating production of Sense and Sensibility. Filled with simmering gossip, swooning assemblies and fierce wit, Kate Hamill’s stage adaptation of the classic novel hits the stage today. Directed by Daryl Cloran and led by Jessica B. Hill and Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane, this tale of sisters bound by love is a pure Regency Period delight.
“This is a story about love in its many forms. Romantic love. Love between sisters. Love between a mother and her daughters,” says Cloran
Get A Gig!
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COMING SOON
CADE WILLAMON'S REAL GHOST ADVENTURES | Planet Ant | Runs Aug 7-23
This August, step into the shadows of the St.Aubin Street Massacre in Cade Willamon’s Real Ghost Adventures, a groundbreaking immersive paranormal experience debuting at Planet Ant Theatre. Combining haunted house chills, escape room puzzles, and a live interactive séance, this live theatrical event invites audiences to help Cade Willamon confront the 95 year old curse of the St. Aubin Street massacre.
After suffering an intense illness, psychic medium Cade Willamon was transported by vision to a purple theatre and to buried artifacts in its basement—all tied to a century old massacre that claimed the cult leader Benny Evangelista and his family.
HAIR | The Ringwald | Runs August 8-11
Last August, a new program was born at The Ringwald. Since opening in 2007, artistic director Joe Bailey had wanted to produce little-seen musicals with one week of rehearsals and 4 performances. The first title in the Ringwald Reprise series was Applause, the musical version of the classic film All About Eve.
This year’s show is Hair with music by Galt MacDermot and lyrics and book by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Hair is directed by Joe Bailey with Gretchen Schock assisting. The cast, all terrific area talent, will include Justin Bugeja, Shannon Christine, Matéo Davis, Nic Folson, and others.
Tickets for Hair are $30 for performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and $20 on Monday. Tickets are currently available at theRingwald.com.
ROMEO & JULIET | Fenton Shakespeare In The Park | Runs August 22-31
The Fenton Shakespeare in the Park Festival returns for two weekends with Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s most well known tragic love story. The play is produced by Fenton’s Wishing Well Theatre and performed by a professional company of home-grown actors.
Performances take place at downtown Fenton's Rackham Park.
This program is sponsored by the The Community Foundation of Greater Flint: Fenton Fund, The Laundry, The City of Fenton, Fenton Arts Council: Arts are the Heart, Fenton’s Open Book, and Fenton Trading Post
Ticket prices are $30 for general admission (or $25 if you purchase ahead online), $23 for students, seniors, and children.
TRIFLES & TRUTHS | Buckham Alley Theatre | Runs August 8-9
Buckham Alley Theatre is proud to offer four important dramatic works to Genesee County all summer long. Trifles by Susan Glaspell explores the oppression of women, the power of gender roles, and the limitations of justice in a patriarchal society. The play highlights how men dismiss women's concerns as trifles, ultimately blinding them to the truth about the murder and Minnie Wright's motivations.
A selection of three ten-minute plays, all by Pat Motley, from the collection Plays on Principle offer a compelling look at the human condition.
A culminating finale of all four plays will take place at Brennan Community Center (1301 Pingree Avenue) August 8 & 9 at 7pm and August.10 at 2pm.. Tickets are $10 (BAT members get $2 off).
NO BANDWITH: ONE MAN, ONE NIGHT, THREE DECADES OF HITS | Detroit Opera | October 11 | www.detroitopera.org
Following a smash sold-out run this summer, Grammy-award-winning legend Raphael Saadiq is thrilled to announce the expansion of his highly-acclaimed one-man show No Bandwidth: One Man, One Night, Three Decades of Hits with twenty-two new Fall tour dates. The tour comes to the Detroit Opera House on October 11. Fresh off back-to-back sold-out nights at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, Los Angeles’ historic United Theater on Broadway, and two homecoming nights at Oakland’s Fox Theater, Raphael Saadiq’s No Bandwidth Tour will see him extending his run after garnering widespread acclaim.
Praised by NPR’s KQED as “a masterclass in intimacy, vulnerability, and musical excellence,” the one-man-show offers a powerful blend of storytelling and emotionally evocative experience, with Saadiq guiding audiences through his celebrated 30+ year career. Attendees experience a rare glimpse into the life of the multi-talented artist, producer, instrumentalist, composer, and song writer with never-before-told stories and performances celebrating his catalog from the early 90s to today - including Tony! Toni! Toné!, Saadiq’s solo albums, and selections from his ground-breaking production work.
"AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER" IN CONCERT |
Wharton Center | October 7| www.whartoncenter.com
Nickelodeon, GEA Live, and Senbla today announced Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert – The 20th Anniversary Tour (www.avatarinconcert.com) will land in East Lansing at Wharton Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday, October 7, at 7:30PM. Audiences will be immersed in a two-hour performance with a live orchestra that brings the show’s iconic musical score to life in perfect harmony, paired with visual highlights and favorite moments from all three seasons of the series.
AND THAT'S THE RUNDOWN! There is so much going on across the state, and WE KNOW this isn't a comprehensive list. So, if you think there's something we missed, please reach out.
Until Next Time. Break Legs!
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